What you really should be using if distance is an issue is a WiFi repeater placed somewhere in the middle between your computer and the router which will broadcast a stronger signal for you to connect to.
I also agree with this, but wanted to share that depending on the age of your wireless equipment router and access point repeater, its best to use newer ones for better compatibility. I for example tried to save myself some money from having to buy a router to turn into a repeater and the 2006 model Linksys Router supported repeating, BUT ONLY to another like model Linksys Router due to some proprietary Linksys Handshake I am guessing. So I was unable to get the modern 3 year old D-Link DIR 601 and 9 year old Linksys WRT54G to repeat off of the D-Link. What I ended up doing is fishing a Cat5 cable through my home along side a heating duct from basement that gave it a straight shot back and mounted the WRT54G in the opposite corner of my home on the 2nd floor for best coverage. Now my signal is strong throughout home and I have it set to connect to 1 or the other.
I suppose I could have attempted to make the Linksys the primary router and D-Link the repeater maybe, but I prefer the newer improved security D-Link that I am also running DD-WRT on for advanced configuration for QoS and other features that comes with DD-WRT that the factory firmware that came with the D-Link was lacking greatly for any advanced configuration. Additionally I can control the signal strength of the D-Link with DD-WRT that the original firmware did not support. More info on boosting your router here with DD-WRT.. NOTE: Its probably safe to boost the output, but any changes are at own risk.
http://www.howtogeek.com/56810/how-to-extend-your-wireless-network-with-dd-wrt/As mentioned on the page, you have to be careful not to burn it up if boosting it with DD-WRT which makes the router perform outside its intended scope from manufacturer. If you play it safe you can get better performance without cooking it. Mine has been running at 100 instead of 70 for almost 2 years now at regular room temp room and no problems. I felt the warmth of the router before and after and yes its running warmer, but not hot to be concerned with on my D-Link 601
There are three settings of interest, the first being TX Power. This is the broadcasting power of your transmitting antenna. The default is a safe value of 70, but we can kick it up a bit. Most people report that jumping up to a 100 is safe. Pushing it higher can cause excessive heat which can damage your router. I don’t have to worry about that since my “server area” is cold and I’m also a bit reckless, so I kicked mine up to 150. It’s been that way for a few weeks and I haven’t had a problem yet, but your mileage may vary. Use your common sense and discretion.
Patio that CANtenna is awesome...LOL first time i saw one. I heard of people making coffee can point to point wireless bridges, but that CANtenna is cool.
